Sindelar played in two games during the 2018 season

Sindelar now has two remaining years of eligibility starting with the 2019 season.

“It’s huge,” Sindelar said. “It made me feel really good to know I’ve got two more years, especially with guys like (receivers) Rondale Moore and David Bell. I love where the program is going and to be a part of it for another year will be phenomenal.”

Purdue submitted paperwork seeking an additional season earlier this year and received the news Wednesday. However, Sindelar hopes he doesn’t have to use the sixth season.

Quarterback Elijah Sindelar warms up before Purdue host Missouri Saturday, September 15, 2018, in West Lafayette. Purdue lost 40-37 on a Missouri field goal as time expired.(Photo: Frank Oliver for the Journal & Courier, )

The Kentucky native’s goal is to play well enough this season to earn a high grade from NFL scouts and enter the 2020 draft.

“My goal is not to use it if I don’t have to,” Sindelar said. “Hopefully, I can perform well enough this season to be able to get drafted. That would be ideal. For some reason, if that does not happen and I’m able to take that sixth year to increase that opportunity then that’s what is going to happen.”

Sindelar played in only two games this past season, including starting the opener against Northwestern. He saw limited action the next week against Eastern Michigan when tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee developed.

He suffered a torn ACL at Northwestern in November 2017 but continued to play and led Purdue to the Foster Farms Bowl.

He also sustained an upper-body injury prior to the Boilermakers facing Missouri at Ross-Ade Stadium, knocking him out of action last season.

The NCAA allows athletes five calendar years to play four seasons but usually grants an additional year based on circumstances. The idea of the additional season was brought up last November.

“It was a long process,” Sindelar said. “I was told it would be sent in by the middle of January/February. It didn’t get sent in until three or four weeks ago. That was the frustrating part. I did have some concerns knowing what initially caused me to come out this season was the upper body injury and not my knees.

“It couldn’t hurt to ask, or it couldn’t hurt to try, and we got approved. We’re going to run with it.”

Sindelar did miss the last 10 days of spring practice after hyperextending his knee but called it a “minor thing that freaked everybody out.”

He’s resumed his normal workout schedule without experiencing any issues.

“I have no problem with it,” Sindelar said. “I’m already back to doing everything.”

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